Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

iPhone 4G Sales Off to Rough Start Online

By Ben Fractenberg

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MIDTOWN EAST — Problems have plagued Apple since they announced the launch of their new iPhone, but they're getting little sympathy in Manhattan.

Online pre-orders of Apple's new iPhone 4G have ground to a halt after technical problems on its website, and on AT&T's website, stopped them from processing orders and exposed the private information of several would-be buyers. Only a week ago, security concerns concerns plagued iPad users.

“How you gonna have a glitch right away?” asked Oscar Moran, 39, of Queens, after leaving the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue and East 59th Street. “The phone’s not even out yet.”

Alaric Delibert, 46, said he was going to wait before getting the new phone.

Customers check out iPhones at the Fifth Avenue Apple store on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. The iPhone 4 is slated to hit store shelves on June 24.
Customers check out iPhones at the Fifth Avenue Apple store on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. The iPhone 4 is slated to hit store shelves on June 24.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Ben Fractenberg

“I don’t know how often I can keep plunking down a couple hundred bucks,” said Delibert, who lives in Brooklyn. 

He was concerned about protecting his personal information, but lamented that security issues are just a sign of the times.

“Google gets their system hacked, so what’s the difference?” said Delibert. “This is the world we live in.”

Preorders for the new iPhone will ship by June 24, Apple's website said, in time for it to hit local stores.

Court Simas, 27, said he was waiting for the white version of the new phone to become available before putting in his order.

Simas, who was visiting the city from Dallas, said he wasn’t bothered by security concerns since other tech companies have had similar issues.

“I’m already on Facebook, and there’s bigger privacy issues there,” he said.

Customers visit the Apple store on Fifth Avenue on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. The iPhone 4 is slated to hit store shelves on June 24.
Customers visit the Apple store on Fifth Avenue on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. The iPhone 4 is slated to hit store shelves on June 24.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Ben Fractenberg